Chinese experts in capital to study trans-Himalayan railway feasibility

Kathmandu, Dec. 27

A day after the Chinese government said that it would pursue ‘high-quality Belt and Road Cooperation’ with Nepal and inject new impetus into the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, the first batch of Chinese experts has arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday to conduct feasibility study and survey of the cross-border railway.

The northern neighbour on Monday had said that it would stand ready to work with the new Nepali government to expand and deepen friendly exchanges.

Stating that to conduct the feasibility study and survey of the China-Nepal cross-border railway had been a long-cherished dream of Nepali people and a vital consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu said that it was also an integral part of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Nepal.

China also expressed its readiness to maintain close contact and coordination in jointly carrying out the work ahead in building the trans-Himalayan multi-dimensional connectivity network. The two countries had signed a pact on the mega initiative that would create connectivity with the entire Eurasian region during the visit of Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Narayan Khadka’s to China in August this year. Dr. Khadka and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi had signed the agreement on behalf of their countries. However, the two countries have been discussing this project at various high level platforms and meetings.

This is probably the largest cross-border project being initiated after Nepal officially signed a framework agreement on One Belt One Road Initiative in 2017.

The delegation of Chinese experts includes six professionals. A team led by the Spokesperson of the Department of Railway (DoR), Aman Chitrakar, had received them at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

As Nepal lacks the expertise in the development of critical railway infrastructure and China has an experience in constructing railway lines in difficult Himalayan region, the northern neighbour had promised to send multiple batches of experts to Nepal. The agreement between Wang and Dr. Khadka in August had also said that a team of expert would be sent to Nepal by the end of 2022.

Nepal will support in environment assessment, land acquisition and settlement programmes to facilitate the implementation of the project.

“This project will change Nepal’s status from a landlocked to a truly land-linked nation,” said Chitrakar while terming it as a milestone project in infrastructure development in the region.

Rasuwagadhi to have two-way trade

Meanwhile, two-way trade will be conducted via the Kerung-Rasuwagadhi border from Wednesday. A ceremony is being organised at the Kerung/Rasuwagadhi border port to resume the two-way trade between China and Nepal.

The Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu informed that the Department of Commerce of Tibet Autonomous Region, the Lhasa customs district of China, the General Station of Immigration Inspection of Tibet Autonomous Region, the health commission of Tibet Autonomous Region, and other relevant departments will attend the ceremony, the Consulate General of Nepal in Lhasa is also invited.

Since the 8^th century, Kerung has been the important route of political, economic and cultural exchanges between China and Nepal. In 1961, in order to further facilitate bilateral exchanges, Kerung port was approved to open and in 1987 it was approved as China’s national first-level land port.

“In recent years, Kerung port has continuously improved its infrastructure and promoted the improvement of customs clearance efficiency, and its trade has witnessed rapid growth. Between 2015 to 2020, the total import and export trade of Kerung port reached 14.71 billion yuan,” read a statement of the embassy.

However, the border point along with Tatopani-Khasa border was shut for months and opened for one-way traffic since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

Kerung port took corresponding measures according to the pandemic prevention needs, said the embassy.

In April 2020, at the request of Nepal, the one-way freight clearance at Kerung port was reopened, which played an important role in ensuring the supply of medical treatment and live plants and animals to Nepal.

The opening of two-way trade of Kerung port will promote Nepal’s exports to China, reduce the trade deficit in Nepal, cushion the trade imbalance, and further improve the connectivity between China and Nepal, said the northern neighbour.

Immediate Past President of Nepal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rajesh Kazi Shrestha said that opening the border for two-way trade is a welcome step. “The business community hopes that the border would run in full-fledge without setting any limit or quota on goods. It will help in the promotion of Nepali goods in China as well,” he said.

He also added that China should support Nepal in the facilitation of trade and tourism and there should be direct flight services to major cities in China from Nepal.

Meanwhile, one-way freight clearance at Pulan/Yari port has been reopened since Monday, December 26.

Energy infrastructure

While the border is opened for two-way trade with China, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has initiated the construction process for the 400KV Ratmate-Raswuagadhi-Kerung transmission line project. The NEA has recently concluded the detailed feasibility study of the project.

The 70-km long cross-border transmission line will facilitate energy export to China as well. Currently, Nepal is exporting electricity to India and exploring opportunities to send it up to Bangladesh. China has constructed 1600-km transmission line up to Mansarovar while Nepal is developing high-powered transmission line via Ratmate to Gorakhpur of India with the support from the Millennium Challenge Corporation. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 December 2022.